Yolo Group secures UAE vendor licences to fuel regulated global ambitions

• Yolo Group and subsidiaries Hub88, Live88 and Onetouch.io receive B2B gaming vendor licences from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA)
• The group pivots towards regulated markets, planning to consolidate brands under Yolo.com for integrated, compliant operations
• Founder Tim Heath describes the shift as a strategic commitment to build a sustainable, transparent igaming ecosystem

Yolo Group has announced that several of its subsidiaries have been granted B2B gaming vendor licences by the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Hub88, Live88, and Onetouch.io are the company’s first B2B brands to receive licences in the UAE.

The newly acquired licences enable Yolo Group to offer regulated gaming solutions and content to operators in one of the world’s newest commercial gaming jurisdictions. The development reaffirms Yolo Group’s expansion into Tier 1 regulated markets, with the UAE viewed as a key component of its global growth strategy.

Strategic shift to regulated operations

Yolo Group’s leadership views these licences as central to a new chapter in the group’s bright future. The company previously announced in September 2025 that it will consolidate its main gaming assets, including Sportsbet.io and Bitcasino.io, under the unified Yolo.com brand.

Tim Heath, Founder of Yolo Group, commented on the company’s Substack titled ‘An exciting new frontier’:

“It marks the beginning of a broader pivot. We are targeting the best-in-class regulated markets in the world; markets that are serious about both consumer protection and unlocking the potential of innovation, including through crypto and blockchain. The UAE is leading this wave, and we are proud to be part of it,” Tim Heath wrote.

“Live88 have set up a live dealer studio in Abu Dhabi and is the first of its kind to be licensed in the UAE. Hub88 will be the first Aggregator to be licensed in the UAE ensuring a seamless supply of third party, licensed content to B2C licensed operators,” Heath continued.

GCGRA regulation and compliance standards

The newly awarded vendor licences allow the group’s B2B platforms to supply products and services to UAE-based operators. The GCGRA’s framework, introduced in late 2023, is recognised as one of the most robust regulatory structures in the region.

It is designed to ensure high standards of integrity, transparency, and responsible conduct within commercial gaming, requiring that all business, including suppliers and third-party vendors, are formally licensed. Severe penalties are attached to any unlicensed activity, underlining the importance of full compliance for all market participants.

Organisational restructuring

This strategic move follows a broader reorganisation for Yolo Group, including an exit from grey markets and the formation of four new operational divisions covering B2C, B2B platforms, land-based casinos, and venture capital assets. As a result of the company’s pivot, Yolo has recently cut 280 jobs at its Estonia HQ.

Industry analysts point to the UAE licences, alongside plans for Canadian and Nordic entries, as evidence of Yolo Group’s intention to become a leader in compliant, cross-border igaming.

Global context and future implications

The UAE’s GCGRA continues to vet and approve key global suppliers, with approvals granted recently to industry names such as Scientific Games, Aristocrat, Novomatic, and Konami Gaming.

Market observers suggest that the UAE, supported by such major supply chain entrants, is on track to become a sophisticated, well-regulated commercial gaming hub.

Heath praised the Gulf’s new iGaming model, describing it as a ‘compelling’.

“What makes the UAE’s model so compelling is exactly this emphasis on balance. It recognises the vast potential of iGaming while ensuring strong consumer safeguards. It’s a combination that is already attracting global players and positioning the country as a magnet for innovation in the iGaming space.

“We are honoured to be part of the UAE’s journey, and excited about the role the Gulf region will play in driving global innovation in digital assets and iGaming. For Yolo Group, it is the beginning of a new era.” Heath concluded.

Looking ahead, Yolo Group’s official licensing is likely to encourage further operator and investor engagement. The group’s expanded international presence may also facilitate additional partnerships and business development in the Middle East as the UAE seeks to establish itself as a regional gaming hub.

Photo credits: Yolo Group / The Australian.